Making a difference in one’s community – one’s world – can take on many forms. And the results of those good deeds touch many in the here and now, while forming a lasting legacy that touches future generations.

That is why The Mexico Ledger honors Hidden Heroes.

Linda Schafer has always helped shape young minds.

That is just one of many reasons why her former student, Kylie Nichols, nominated Schafer as a Hidden Hero.

As the daughter of a U.S. Air Force veteran, Schafer spent much of her childhood living on various military bases across the country. After her father retired, her family settled in Montgomery City, where she attended high school.

Schafer went on to study journalism at the University of Missouri, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and later earned her master’s degree at William Woods University.

English and empathy

Schafer is a teacher, through and through. Her teaching career, which spans nearly half a century, began in 1980 at Clopton High School, where she taught for one year. She then taught English/language arts in Centralia for 40 years, mostly at Centralia High School, where Nichols was one of her students.

“It’s extremely important for everybody to have somebody there for them — to lift them up and support them,” Nichols said. “She models such a wonderful demeanor, she’s empathetic, and everyone needs empathy at some point or another.”

And Nichols doesn’t say that lightly. She remembers when Schafer was there to support her in ninth grade when she struggled with the passing of her grandfather, and again last Friday when Schafer attended her father’s funeral.

“Every time I see her, she has something very positive to say,” Nichols said. “If you ever need anything, you can call Mrs. Schafer.”

She also taught for nine years at the Champion Academy in Centralia.

In 2016, before she retired, Schafer began volunteering with the St. Brendan Society of St. Vincent de Paul, delivering beds with her husband, Kevin.

“It started out, we were just delivering beds to local children and then we found out grandparents were gaining custody of their grandchildren,” Schafer said, adding that in some cases, the grandparents couldn't get custody without beds or were in need themselves. “It kind of blew up, and now we’re providing beds for basically anyone who needs one.”

It is estimated that Schafer and her husband have delivered more than 700 beds to families in need over the years.

Once a teacher, always a teacher

“As soon as I retired in 2019, that’s when I started volunteering for Reach to Teach,” Schafer said.

Even in retirement, she continues to tutor students, from first graders to seniors in high school, two nights a week — Monday and Thursday — during the school year for the program with Anointed Life Saving Ministries.

Schafer said Ayanna Shivers, founder of Anointed Life Saving Ministries, is the one who inspired her to continue providing support to students.

She moved to Mexico in 1985, where she raised both her children. They attended St. Brendan Catholic School and eventually Mexico High School, where Schafer said they both had a great experience.

“They both now have their doctorates,” Schafer said. “Mexico teachers provided that support for them and that encouragement for them.”

Schafer continues to be involved at St. Brendan's as an usher. She also volunteers with Centennial Baptist Church to provide monthly meals to transitional housing and Room at the Inn.

Schafer knows there are many families who need assistance in one way or another, which she said is why these local hidden heroes are so important.

“Just keep doing what you’re doing,” Schafer said to all the other community heroes. “What you do does make a difference.”

Nichols brought her youngest sister, who also had Schafer as a teacher at Champion Academy, and her youngest daughter to surprise Schafer because she wanted them to “see what a hero is, what a mentor is, and what we do for those people who support us.”

“If you have a mentor, someone that’s just always been there for you, definitely nominate them,” Nichols said.